Modern Design in a Portuguese Lagoon

With its vast system of canals and lagoons, Aveiro, Portugal, has been termed the Portuguese Venice. Like its Italian counterpart, Aveiro has had to meet the special challenges of building on such temperamental ground. A recent blog by ArchDaily featured one such successful build, an ultramodern duplex set right by the Ria de Aveiro:

The goal of the project was both to conquer the tricky landscape and to allow the homeowners to fully appreciate the beauty of that landscape once the project was completed. The design by architectural firm RVDM includes simple, open floorplans, with as little obstruction as possible of the view through the many expansive windows.

The lighting chosen for the two spaces complements their designs with similarly modern lines. In one main living area, a Robinson Pendant by Carpyen pays subtle tribute to the waterways outside with its fishing pole-inspired suspension. Meanwhile, in the adjoining seating area, the Robinson’s flared shade and slim, adjustable extension is duplicated in the parchment shade and multiple joints of the Tolomeo Mega Floor Lamp, a large version of the iconic lighting design by Artemide lighting:

In the home office, a second Tolomeo–the original Tolomeo Classic Table Lamp–turns the desk into a veritable island of productivity. It is paired with another lighting design icon in its own right, the hovering, spacecraft-like Titania by Luceplan:

The lighting, furnishings and wall of bookcases all encourage an environment of serenity and creativity. But you have to admit that the view also plays a pretty big part in providing inspiration: